By WILL KANGAS
November 20, 2011
MASON - Mason City Manager Martin Colburn is not happy about the new hours at Sparrow Hospital's Urgent Care facility in Mason.
So much so that he wrote a letter to Sparrow CEO Joe Ruth to share his disappointment.
Colburn said the recent change of hours from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. is a cut in service and goes against what he had thought was a possibility to do the opposite and expand services.
"I felt misled because they said they had plans but I ddn't think it would be to cut hours," Colburn said.
He said in the letter that "Sparrow Hospital and you seem to be abandoning the city of Mason." Colburn said he has had numerous complaints from residents that the doors would be locked during what was supposed to be open hours. He said patients have been turned away because a doctor would not be available.
30 days lost
"This cut in hours is the equivalent of taking away 30 days of service if you add it up over the year," Colburn said.
The urgent care at 700 E. Columbia Road is the only after hours medical center in Mason.
But Sparrow spokesperson John Foren said the change in hours is an attempt to be more efficient.
"We have monitored when the busiest times are and they are from 4 p.m .until 8 p.m. at the Mason Urgent Care," Foren said.
He said there are very few patients that require care before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. according to patient usage information. In his letter that he shared with the Mason City Council, Colburn showed a photo of a room that is labeled "Cardio Pulmonary" on the wall but has a sign behind it that says "Bridge Club." "This is not my idea of improved medical services," Colburn said.
Forden said he would try to contact Colburn to explain the changes in hours and what that may mean for the community.
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